The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), often known as the Shi’ites, has accused the Nigerian military of unlawfully detaining innocent civilians, including bystanders, hawkers, and vendors, following the recent Arba’een Trek. According to IMN, these individuals are being held at Abacha Barracks in Abuja.
IMN claims that during the religious procession, military forces, like the police, conducted indiscriminate arrests, targeting people who were not even participating in the event. The group alleges that both men and women are among those detained, held without charges, and subjected to repeated acts of torture.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, IMN spokesperson Fatima Aliyu Adam stated that they possess evidence of torture and blasphemy against Islam perpetrated by security personnel. The group has vowed to disclose this evidence within the next 24 hours.
The IMN has strongly condemned the arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and torture, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees. They have also pledged to hold military officials accountable for the alleged human rights violations carried out by troops at Abacha Barracks and other locations.
“We wish to inform the public that the Nigerian military has detained innocent civilians at Abacha Barracks in Abuja. These detainees are being subjected to torture multiple times daily,” the Shi’ites said in their statement.
“We have substantial evidence of the torture inflicted and instances of blasphemy against Islam by Nigerian security agents, which we will expose within the next 24 hours.”
The group further emphasized that the injustices being committed are intolerable and that no one, regardless of their background, should witness such acts without taking a stand. “We condemn the unlawful arrest, detention, and torture of innocent people by the military and demand the unconditional release of all those arrested,” the statement concluded.
